Serial killer guilty on 47 counts

May 3 2007 at 07:55am

Cape TimesDemanding justice: Cape Town residents gather outside the Cape High Court to demand that Jimmy Maketta, convicted on 47 charges, be sent to prison for life. Photo: Michael Pinyana, Cape Times

By Caryn Dolley

Convicted serial killer and rapist Jimmy Maketta was a "dangerous psychopath lacking remorse" who should go to prison "for ever" as he could not be rehabilitated and would continue to murder, a psychiatrist testified in the Cape High Court on Wednesday.

Maketta, 43, pleaded guilty and was convicted on 47 charges, including 16 of murder and 19 of rape, as relatives of his victims crammed into the courtroom.

He is to be sentenced on Thursday.

Wearing a green check shirt tucked into black jeans, Maketta kept his head bowed as Sean Kaliski, a psychiatrist at Valkenberg Hospital, testified.

"Maketta had been categorised as a serial killer because he's just killed so many people. A serial killer is someone who kills more than two or three victims (followed by) a cooling-off period. During that time he reflects in and enjoys moments of the murder.

"There is zero possibility of him being rehabilitated. It is hopeless. If a person has killed so many victims it's impossible to say he's not dangerous.

"He's a psychopath with a typical childhood. He often fought with others, set things alight, ran away from home and was involved in incidents of bestiality," said Kaliski.

"He is mild-mannered, soft spoken and pleasant-looking but he lacks remorse. When I asked what he felt about all this he just shrugged his shoulders," he said, as some people in the packed public gallery stifled sobs.

Sollie Marthinus, Maketta's attorney, said his client had come from a dysfunctional family in Grabouw and had lived in bushes after completing Grade 6.

"He was one of 15 children and he left home. He started stealing and later the serious crimes started. He left for Cape Town where he stayed with his sister in Mitchells Plain. He couldn't get a permanent job but did try to make something of his life, he said.

Investigating officer Jonathan Morris said during cross examination earlier that, after he tracked down Maketta to Constantia and arrested him in

December 2005, he had found letters he had written.

?He said he wrote the letters and was responsible for three murders. We also found a map he drew. It directed us to Mitchells Plain where (victim)

Griet Koelas body was found, he said.

Morris said after a murder in Claremont that Maketta had called 10111 twice to tell police

where his victim?s body was and drew a map for them with instructions on how to find it.

(After his arrest) he also wrote me a letter to say thank you for the manner he was handled.

He said he always wants to be in contact with me and has given his heart to Jesus and turned over a new leaf.

Morris said residents of Philippi, an area Maketta targeted between April and December 2005, had been terrified when was on the loose.

(Maketta) got away from police by running away and taking a taxi to Grassy Park or Mitchells Plain, he said.

Before he was asked to plead, the state withdrew seven charges, including those of indecent assault and attempted murder. When Justice Essa Moosa asked him what he would plead, Maketta looked

confused.

To make this easier on me I will take it all on me and plead guilty, Maketta answered moments before he was convicted of the 47 charges.

He smiled as he was led out the courtroom in shackles and handcuffs, when the case was

adjourned for an hour.

Outside the court building, more than 50 of his victim?s relatives gathered on the steps chanting: We want Jimmy. He raped and killed our people. We

want his blood.

Penata Petersen, 16, cried as she said Maketta had murdered her mother two years ago.